Expect A War Of Words On This One

SALISBURY – The Salisbury City Council has requested timeline and process information from Mayor
Jim Ireton’s office for reprogramming the use of Community Block Development Grants (CDBG) funds,
currently slated for demolition of the former Linens of the Week property at the corner of Anne and Short
streets. By a 4-to-1 straw poll consensus, the council determined that tying up the limited federal resources
of CDBG funds for a single project at the expense of others that have a track record of benefitting
neighborhoods and residents throughout the city was inadvisable.


“The discussion of what to do about the former Linens property, how to do it, and what it will cost is
separate from that of the use of the coming year’s CDBG funds,” said Council President Terry E. Cohen.
“CDBG funds have long been the foundation of success for programs that assist the homeless, stabilize
homeownership and neighborhoods, add needed infrastructure and accomplish other core services for lowand
moderate-income communities and residents in Salisbury. The mayor stated it’s possible to reprogram
the funds. The council would like to do so and see the funding leveraged for a wider impact throughout the
city, rather than have the funds tied up in just one project,” Cohen stated.
As soon as the mayor’s office can provide the requested information, a legislative action by council will be
scheduled. Cohen also noted the importance of the administration involving the council prior to any further
investment of city staff time and expense in preparing for the disposition of the contaminated property.


“The city now owns the property due to the action of the previous council, but it is this current council that
will have the responsibility for deciding what happens to it next. The city can avoid the liabilities, legal
questions, inconvenience and possible waste of staff time and resources associated with projects like Onley
Road/Bateman, the “Bricks,” and the recent Disproportionate Minority Contact grant if the city council is
brought into the decision-making process early on rather than when it is time to take the vote,” Cohen
added.
Cohen concluded her brief statement with an optimistic assessment, saying, “The mayor has a council that
will work with him in true partnership to jointly achieve the best outcomes for our citizens, and I hope he
will avail himself of this valuable opportunity.”